Saudi Firm Signs for Six A350 Prestiges

Airbus today at EBACE received its largest-ever order for corporate jetliners with a $1.5 billion order for six A350 Prestiges by Jeddah, Saudi Arabia-based MAZ Aviation. The aircraft, one A350-800 and five A350-900s, scheduled for delivery between 2015 and 2019, are for separate private customers in the Middle East who are already owners of Airbus aircraft, said MAZ Aviation founder and chairman Mohammed Al-Zeer. All six aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and will have executive cabins, although the choice of outfitters has yet to be announced. MAZ Aviation managed the selection and acquisition of the aircraft for its undisclosed customers and will manage the aircraft on their behalf, according to Al-Zeer. “This is a unique arrangement…using our buying power and relationship with Airbus to serve our clients,” he added. “We have everything under one roof as managing the whole thing from beginning to end is much easier.”